Loren urges flexibility in ‘no permit, no exam’ policy for students

SEN. LOREN LEGARDA TODAY HAILED THE RECENT ISSUANCE BY THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION (CHED) OF A MEMORANDUM URGING BOTH PRIVATE AND LOCAL INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING TO BE MORE FLEXIBLE IN IMPLEMENTING THE ‘NO PERMIT, NO EXAM’ POLICY FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVE NOT FULLY PAID THEIR TUITION FEES.
Loren said that given the country’s economic difficulties brought about by the global recession and the adverse effects of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng last year, “it is only proper and fitting that students from poor families who could barely make ends meet be given enough leeway in meeting their financial obligations and allowed to take their mid-term exams.”
CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) 02 series of 2010 directed all colleges and universities to be flexible in the implementation of the “no permit, no exam” policy which was earlier criticized by various student groups. The memo said this is “in accordance with the pertinent provision of the 1987 Constitution and RA 7722 and for the purpose of ensuring the accessibility and affordability of quality higher education, and also in view of the unabated economic crisis brought about by circumstances worldwide as well as the recent calamities that the country has faced in the last year.”
Loren said the CHED memorandum is highly commendable as students, particularly those from urban poor, peasant and fisherfolk families who are already reeling from abject poverty, must not become “double victims” of their current economic straits and the schools’ strict requirements on payment of matriculation fees.
Loren said she is considering filing a bill that would make it a standard rule for schools and universities to allow students with unpaid school fees to take the required exams subject to certain conditions.
Loren also proposed that teachers who would be asked to perform election duties this May be given their allowances on time and provided additional benefits, such as health and life insurance, in recognition of their important contribution to the honest, orderly and peaceful conduct of elections in the country.